Hidden Gems: Meet Edna Lugo of Onward Home Organizing Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edna Lugo. 

Hi Edna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like a lot of people, I spent most of 2020 struggling through depression and wanting to change that. I had always wanted to return to being my own boss and I was at a point with my job where I knew I couldn’t continue with it. I had had my own pet sitting/dog walking business in Houston for two years so I knew I could do it, but at this point, I was 41 years old. I wasn’t sure I had it in me or even knew what kind of business I wanted. I got back into therapy for the umptieth time and knew right away that this was going to be a fight for my life. My depression came back early in January of 2020 and as soon as we got sent home, I knew I had to do things differently. I spoke up, I told my closest friends, I forced myself to exercise, got some coworkers to workout with me and I spent the time healing. 

With all the healing I had to ask myself a lot of difficult questions and figure out what I really wanted out of life. I knew I couldn’t go work for someone else without giving myself a chance to do what I love and live the life I had always envisioned for myself. Why the f*ck not? It sounds dramatic, and for months it was. I was lucky in the sense that I had a lot of people rooting for me. Figuring out all the steps I needed to get to where I am today was and has been an uphill battle that has totally been worth it. 

I love to read and want to write coffee table books and build a business that can make a difference. I also love to journal and spent one afternoon thinking of all the things I loved to do and listed them out. Not even a few nights later I watched Get Organized with The Home Edit on Netflix and ran to grab my journal. Organizing. I love to organize! Oh shit! I had done some sort of cleaning and organizing off and on my whole life. It’s my way of releasing stress, some supplemental income, and I had done it several times during the pandemic to create a space for a work/home balance. I started googling, making a business plan and for the first time in almost 4 years, I felt excited and alive again. The next day, that feeling was still there. This is something I can do. So, I spent the next few months looking up how to get started and set some goals, and went all in. I quit my job the following May. It was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. 

Today I spend most of my time growing my organizing business, hosting a podcast to help create an audience for my coffee table books (keeping the dream alive), and am always networking and building new relationships in the community. I may be new to organizing but can honestly say this has been the most fulfilling job knowing I’m helping reduce stress and bringing some organization into people’s homes. So many people need the help and I’m happy to do it! It’s been such a great experience so far! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could say it has been easy but we all know that is not even close to being true! There’s been a lot to learn and I’m constantly trying to do that. There was a lot I had to relearn too, especially when it came to putting myself out there. There’s no shining object to bling around to attract people. All I have is my commitment to help you, my work, and my word that we are in this together! 

Learning to network, connecting with the right groups, getting paid upfront, getting out of my comfort zone, taking on a second and third job, learning how to build a website, imposter syndrome, and actually asking for help. That’s the short version, ha! Asking people for help has been the hardest thing for me. It has gotten easier and I’m so grateful for the people I’m meeting in the process. As much as I want to be an expert in everything, I’m never going to be so surrounding myself with people who are better and smarter than me in different areas is just as great. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Since starting my organizing business I’ve gotten to help a lot of people. I’m meeting people where they are at in their journey to get organized. I help busy professionals and families organize different spaces in their home to help with their day-to-day life. I also help with packing for a move and can help unpack too! I’ve gotten to collaborate with other professional organizers and have supported a family through the whole process of selling their childhood home and packing to move out of state. It was the best! 

The experiences I’ve had so far have been rewarding, sometimes challenging, and always exciting when it comes to seeing the end result. I tend to geek out when I start to see the transformation happen and a lot of times, I even surprise myself. It’s so satisfying and I can tell it makes a difference to my clients. I hope I am helping them create systems that work for them as well as giving them a space they can really enjoy. I hope to continue to help those who want to make this sort of change. It’s not easy and a lot of times can be emotionally and physically draining. I’m glad to be there to support anyone through this process and help them find the relief they need. 

Building relationships has also been a huge part of my business. I want to collaborate where I can, educate and build a community that supports each other. I am a first-generation college graduate, daughter of immigrants, and have spent a lot of my work experience being good at what I do for the ones I work for. Now, I’m working for myself and know that this is just the beginning. I am meant for greatness and it’s only onward and upward from here! 

I’ve been told I am dependable, dedicated, and have a great work ethic. These things matter to me and I hope it matters to people looking for this sort of help. I really want to help make a difference and feel accomplished when I see the look of relief and happiness in my client’s faces after I’ve completed a job. 

I really want to help educate people about their carbon footprint and help them declutter and be mindful of where they donate and how they get rid of things. I am currently collaborating with another organizer to create a Resource Guide to help people in the Denver Metro area find where to take their items and how to make that difference. I hope to partner with local agencies and businesses to really learn how I can help communicate that message in the home. It can start with switching to reusable bags or donating to a family that needs to furnish a home versus dropping it off at the local goodwill. I think it can make a huge impact in the long run and hopefully a direction the people I work with are open to exploring. 

No project is too big or too small. I offer hourly packages that makes it affordable and can get the job done. I really try to do what I can to make this transition smoother and work with people that are ready and want this kind of change. It’s not for everyone and I get that. I love to have the ability to be creative with what I do and appreciate how much I learn from my clients as well. There’s so much I still want to do so I’m excited to see where these experiences take me! 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Kindness and compassion. Sh*t is hard, life is hard and we were stuck in our homes for over a year! That space, our home consumed our days, met us when we woke, and put us to sleep at night. I can’t imagine going through this again. I also know that if we have to do it again, I’m grateful I’ll be able to still do what I love. Thank goodness for technology! 

New Opportunities. Virtual organizing is just as relevant now as it was during Covid. I honestly don’t think there isn’t anything we can’t help with virtually. 

Never stop learning! Since I was still in the early phases of starting my business when Covid was running rampant, I got involved in learning the business and learning from other organizers by joining several FB groups for organizers. I continue to learn and share the significance of having this type of structure in your life. Organizing is important and so many people need it. 

Contact Info:

• Email: onwardorganizing@gmail.com
• Website: http://onwardorganizing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onward_hos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardhomeorganizing

Image Credits
Alkonost Lifestyle Photography
Kelsey Minnick